FRESNO, Calif. --- In just about two months Jeffrey Battaion will arrive at training camp with his new teammates and begin his journey back home with high aspirations. A Fresno, California-native who has spent most of his soccer-playing days in the Central Valley, Battaion and the Eagles will play the final match of their 2019 regular season in Fresno at Fresno Pacific, hopefully with a shot at the PacWest's top spot or an NCAA West Regional berth.

Biola is banking on Battaion's experience anchoring the defense of successful sides at Clovis High School and Fresno City College to help cement the Eagles' place at the top of the conference table. The outside back is coming off a Mr. Ram Award at FCC last year after playing in 23 matches while the Rams went 16-2-7 and is projected to bring a physical and calculating brand to Al Barbour Field reminiscent of previous Biola outside backs like All-PacWest player Riley Waldeck.

At Fresno City, Battaion made it to the CCCAA State semifinals and won a conference championship with an unblemished 7-0-1 record. He had previously won a CIF Section Championship and a conference championship as a senior at Clovis. Clovis was ranked as high as No. 6 in California that season and Battaion earned Defender of the Year honors along with his second All-League First Team selection. He was an all-league second team selection as a sophomore and a first teamer as a junior.

Battaion plans to major in sociology at Biola and hopes to work at his local law enforcement agency after his time in college. He's looking forward to a "great atmosphere with great people and a great athletics program" at Biola and will have two years of eligibility with the Eagles.

He'll also join the Biola Eagles for their first season of NCAA postseason eligibility in 2019. More information about other incoming student-athletes can be found on the Committed Athletes page.